Doug Bryden

How long have you been a Muskokan – The Bryden family started vacationing in Muskoka in 1949, renting the former staff quarters of the old Summit House at the very tip of Lake Joseph. In the early 50’s, we purchased a cottage immediately beside Aston Villa on Lake Muskoka. Eventually, I acquired the old Prowse family cottage on Tondern Island in 1996, now the cottage home for myself, my wife Lynda, our two daughters and our four grandchildren.

When did you join the Board of the Ratepayers – I joined the Board in 2000, as a Director, and became President for a two-year term three years later.

What interested you in serving on the Ratepayers Board – I have always felt a responsibility to become active in community affairs through the local ratepayer association. I became heavily involved in ensuring that the Touchstone redevelopment of Aston Villa would be a credit to Muskoka, sensitive to its environment, and provide new lifestyle accommodation for visitors and the traveling public.

What do you believe is the most important issue we face here in Muskoka – Muskoka faces many issues and challenges as more and more people enjoy our internationally acclaimed vacation benefits. Its popularity as a year round living destination is requiring access to new high-speed technologies and other urban necessities which often conflict with the remembrances of those who want to enjoy again family days past, less hurry, simple boating, and lazy, quiet family get-togethers. Finding the optimum balance between relaxed holiday pursuits and developing a sustainable economy is a constant challenge.

What is your background – Over the past 45 years, I have held a number of Executive positions in real estate development across Canada, the USA and the Caribbean, and am now retired from my own real estate consulting company, which was active in a variety of opportunities in land development, Assisted Housing and Church renovation.